Electronic device holder

Abstract

The present invention is to provide an electronic device holder comprising a body and a clamping assembly, wherein the body is disposed between two sides of the clamping assembly, at least one clamp is slidably connected to either side of the clamping assembly and is provided externally of the body, and a base is provided at bottom of the body and is adapted to support an electronic device. Such that when the electronic device is held by the holder, both sides of the clamping assembly can retract toward the body so as to firmly clamp the electronic device in cooperation with the clamps. Most importantly, the clamps can slide to expose controls at both sides of the electronic device.

1 . A device for holding an electronic device comprising: 
 a body comprising a base in its bottom, the base being adapted to support the electronic device;    a clamping assembly formed together with the body wherein both sides of the clamping assembly are adapted to retract toward or extend from the body; and    a plurality of clamps slidably connected to both sides of the clamping assembly and provided externally of the body.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the clamping assembly comprises: 
 two plates; and    a locking assembly at a joining portion of the plates for connecting the plates together such that the locking assembly is adapted to operate to move the plates toward the body or away from the body.    
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the clamp comprises a longitudinal slot at one end, the slot having a transverse section conformed to that of either side of the clamp externally of the body, and an opening at mouth of the slot to communicate the slot such that the clamp is adapted to slidably put on one side of the plate by sliding down along the slot and the opening.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the plate comprises at least one transverse projecting bar at each of its bottom and top proximate the locking assembly, and wherein the locking assembly comprises: 
 at least one first resilient member each having one end put on either bar and the other end urged against the body;    a gear assembly at center of the clamping assembly; and    a return member comprising a shank having one end projected from a side surface of the body, a second resilient member urged against the other end of the shank, and a pawl projected from the shank toward the gear assembly wherein in response to retracting the plates toward the body, the gear assembly is driven to rotate with the first resilient members being compressed and the pawl being caught and held by the gear assembly, and in response to stopping retracting the plates, the pawl disengages with the gear assembly for enabling the plates to extend from the body by expanding the first resilient members.    
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein each of the plates comprises a hole disposed corresponding to the gear assembly, one plate further comprises a toothed bar above its hole, and the other plate further comprises a toothed bar below its hole, and wherein the gear assembly comprises: 
 a first gear comprising a central first connecting member, the first gear being adapted to mesh with the lower toothed bar wherein in response to retracting the plates toward the body, the first gear is driven to rotate, and in response to stopping retracting the plates, the first gear assembly is held motionless with the first resilient members being maintained in its compressed state; and    a second gear comprising a central second connecting member, the second gear being adapted to mesh with the upper toothed bar wherein the first and second connecting members are secured together in one hole such that the first and second gears are able to rotate the same.    
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises: 
 a lengthwise rail along one surface; and    a plurality of support members each having a groove proximate one end, the groove having a longitudinal section conformed to that of the rail such that the support member is adapted to put on the rail by inserting the rail through the groove.    
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a substantially upright support opposite the electronic device held in the body and wherein bottom of the support is adapted to firmly stand on a flat surface.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the body further comprises a cavity in its back opposing the supported electronic device, and the support comprises a flexible arm, an adhesive member on an underside of its bottom for firmly attaching to a flat surface, and a snapping projection at a top end of the arm, the snapping projection being adapted to insert into the cavity for securing the support and the body together.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the body consists of a back panel, a front cover, and a space enclosed by the back panel and the front cover, and wherein the space is adapted to receive portions of the plates retracted therein, the plates are adapted to extend from the space, and the plates and the body are formed together.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the clamp is adapted to pivot about one side of the plate, and wherein the clamp is adapted to pivot away from the body.